Axford blames blown save for wife's contractions

Milwaukee Brewers closer John Axford jokingly blamed his blown save on Friday night for causing his pregnant wife to go into labor.

Axford was not available for interviews following the Brewers 8-7 win over the Chicago Cubs. The closer had blown a save earlier in the game and was long gone by the time Milwaukee won in 13 innings after five hours of play.

The blown save ended Axford's streak over 49 consecutive conversions, the fourth longest in major league history, ESPN Chicago reported.

Axford put a note over his locker that read, "I put my wife into contractions with my performance tonight! So I had to run to the hospital. The streak is over so now you can talk about it."

ESPN Chicago also reported that as of Saturday morning, Axford's wife had not yet delivered but was in a hospital bed.